miller



June 8, 1937. w M E Re. 20,401

METHOD AND MEANS FOR FEEDING AND FORMING PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY Original Filed Jan. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 34' INVENTOR 7L7 MD/filer $0M W. J. MILL METHOD AND MEANS FOR FEEDING AND FORMING PLAST 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 8, I937.

MATERIAL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY Original Filed Jan. 5, 1921 ATTORNEY.

Reissued June 8, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND MEANS FOR FEEDING AND FORMING PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY William J. Miller, Swissvale, Pa.

82 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method and means for automatically feeding and forming plastic material in the manufacture of potcry.

The present application discloses subject matter also disclosed in my copending applications Serial Nos. 153,086 and 156,874, filed, respectively Dec. 7, 1926 and Dec. 23, 1926, which have matured into Patents No. 1,703,316 and No. 1,739,981.

9 According to the manual system of ware fabrication on a potters wheel, the batter out pinches oi! gobs of plastic clay at random, from a slug, flattens the same into the form of a "pancake" of a diameter insuring complete coverage of the were forming surface of a mold when applied thereto, and then deposits the same on a mold, the clay sticking thereto due to its adhesive nature, after which the potter Jlggers the clay and sets the mold aside for subsequent transportation by a mold runner to the stove room. Air entrapment between the pancake and mold often occurs, preventing the establishment of a complete and perfect state of capillarity over the engaging surfaces of clay and mold so necessary to promote proper drying. The clay normally adheres to the mold, but often creeps or slips under the drag of the profile tool due to insufficient bonding.

By the recent improved method and means I o amenabled to automatically extrude predetermined charges of elastic material directly into or on the molds and preliminarily preform the charges, sever or segregate the charges, preform the charges, and finally form or profile and trim or jlgger the charges, in timed relation with means for automatically conveying the molds to and removing them from the said means.

The present method, in more general terms consists in covering a portion of the were form:

mg surface of a mold with clay in an amount, at

least sumcient to form a ware body, then spreading the clay over the ware forming surface by pressing, as with a die to flow the clay towards the periphery of the mold, preferably in all direction-s simultaneously to completely cover the total area of the ware forming surface and adheslvely bond the clay to the mold surface and then smoothing the surface of the clay as by iiggering with a profile tool. The radial pro gressive spreading action of the clay from the central zone of the mold toward the periphery prevents air entrapment common to manual bat application and at the same time, the clay is adhesively bonded to the mold by the pressure required to, spread.. setting up a bond of greater efllciency and one not liable to allow slippage of the clay on the mold and one that will maintain the bond unimpaired when under the profile tool, thus preventing destruction of the perfect state of capillarlty established.

Means are also provided in the present instance for rotating and raising and lowering any one or all of the chucks independently or as a unit, to similarly raise and lower and rotate the molds carrying the charges, in timed relation to the extruding, segregating, prcforming and iiggering means, while the charge is being subjected to either one or all of the foregoing operations. The simplified form of feeder mechanism of the present application may be used with an automatic iigger such as is shown in my copendlng applications Serial Nos. 143,994 and 148,872, respectively filed Oct. 25, 1928, and Nov. 17, 1926, which have matured into Patents .Nos. 1,750,762 and 1,757,132 and wherein means are also shown for automatically imparting a stepby-step movement to the mold carrier or conveyor. However. any suitable type of ,iigger as well as conveyor may be used. or these operations may be performed manually, the present invention being in nowlse limited in this respect.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a preferred form of mechanism for carrying out my improved method.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a part of the mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view in showing one manner of individually raising and lowering the spindles and chucks.

a Fig. 4 is a sectional view of one preferred form oi orifice member and severing or segregating means which may he used to adapt the extruding means tcdeep molds.

' Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional plan of the segrsgating means embodied in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a press or preforming assembly which may be used for deep molds.

Fig. 7 is a section through a modified form of orifice member.

In conjunction with this method of fabricating potteryware is a system of ware production embracing the general fabricating steps enumerside elevation,

guished from the coarser clayware arts and the clay is refined, plastic, normally adhesive and is applied to and the ware fabricated on absorbent molds to which the clay is bonded and adhesively stuck by the die so thoroughly that the danger of clay slipp e on the mold whilst rotating as a unit under the profile is avoided, the bond being so thorough that the perfect state of capillarlty established is maintained during the removal of excess material and thereafter during drying.

The numeral 5 designates a container, preferably of cylindrical form, which may be formed with a flanged bracket is at one side thereof for adjustable securement to a part of the frame, generally indicated at 8, as by screws 6a and shims 6b.

The container 5 has side walls I, which are preferably straight the greater portion of their vertical extent and then incline inwardly or converge, as at 8, the lower extremity of the container being truncated and open, this opening having inner screw-threads 9 for removable and adjustable insertion of various sized and shaped orifice members, as at HI, having an opening H. The top of the container may be closed by a lid or cover l2, suitably bolted or otherwise secured to said container, and extending downwardly through the lid or cover i2 is a shaft l3, having inclined feed blades ll suitably secured thereto and cooperating with reversely inclined ribs or flanges l5, formed integral with or suitably attached to the inner side of the walls I of the container 5. To provide for vertical adjustment of the shaft IS with its feed blades ll it is preferred to employ annular shim washers or rings between the top or cover l2 and upper endof the container 5, as at It. A chute l'l opens into the upper side of the container 5, through which the mixed plastic material may be conveyed to said container. The shaft I3 is provided with suitable ac'Justable thrust or bearing collars l8 above and below the lid or cover 82. The upper extremity or end of the shaft I3 is provided with a bevel gear l9, secured to said shaft I3 as by the screw Isa and the hub l9b this gear l9 meshing with a bevel gear 20, adjustably secured as by the hub 2| and screw 22 on a shaft 23. This shaft 23 preferably extends horizontally across the upper extremity of the mechanism and will be of such length as to accommodate any desired number of units or feeders and is preferably mounted to rotate in suitable bearings at each side of the stationary frame of the mechanism, as at 24, Fig. 2. At its one end or extremity the shaft 23 preferably has a gear 25 splined or otherwise suitably secured thereon haVing inclined teeth 26, which mesh with reversely inclined teeth 21. formed on the lower surface of a ratchet bar 28, to impart a feeding actuation to the feed blades ll on the shaft i3 in the container 5 of each unit controlled by the said shaft 23.

It is usually desirable to impart a slight reverse movement or reciprocation to the feed blades ii of each container 5 at approximately the limit of each feeding stroke, and to this end I prefer to provide a disk 29 on the upper extremity of each shaft l3 between the bevel gear I! and top or cover l2. The outer periphery of this disk 29 is preferably formed with a flat groove, and in this groove I prefer to provide a band 30, which may be of asbestos or similar to the ordinary brake band, this band 30 encircling the disk and having the opposite extremities adjustably clamped, as at 3!, a threaded bolt 32 being provided having a tension spring 33 loosely applied thereover and abutting at one extremity against the inner shoulder provided by a bracket 34, which is preferably attached to a part of the frame of the machine, and at its opposite extremity abutting against the one extremity of the band 38. To control the degree of friction of the band 30 on the disk 28, a nutted bolt 350 may be passed through the clamped extremities of the band 38 and readily adjusted, and to vary the tension of the spring 33 and consequently the degree of retraction, an adjusting nut 35 may be applied on the one extremity of the bolt 32. The band 30 may be adjusted so that when a feeding stroke is imparted to the ratchet bar 23 and through the connections heretofore explained impart a feeding rotation to the blades II, the said band will compress the spring, and when the ratchet bar completes its driving or feeding stroke and the reversely inclined teeth 28 and 21 unmesh, the spring 33 will be released and returned to normal position, and as the disk 29 and shaft l3 will at this time move more or less freely, the band will move with the spring back to normal position and reverse the movement of the disk 29 to this extent, and accordingly reverse the movement of the shaft i3 and feed blades M, to thereby retract or raise the plastic material in the container 5 and from the orifice opening I I. The ratchet bar 28 may be suitably secured to a part of the frame of the mechanism.

Mounted in transverse alignment relatively to the extruding mechanism are means for shaping or preshaping the plastic charge by pressing the same against the mold which firmly secures the charge thereto whilst spreading the charge from its central position radially over the total ware forming surface of the mold, the mold and die forming a molding chamber when in cooperation, substantially closed by ring 44 as hereinafter described and conforms the charge to the shape of the mold and under a pressure that is substantially equally distributed over the clay, preferably comprising in the present instance a. cylindrical plunger 31 having screw-threads 38 formed on its lower extremity, for removable and adjustable application of an annular press head or member 38, as shown in section in Fig. 1, also having lower inner screw threads 40, for removable and adjustable application of an annular press plate ll, having a suitably shaped lower surface or face, a chamber being formed above this press plate, as at 42. This chamber may have introduced therein and circulated therethrough various mediums such as hot or cold air. water, oil or other fluid or heating, cooling or lubricating mediums, and likewise, the press plate I may be formed of any suitable material and manner, as for instance, porous or have openings therein, so that the fluid or other medium may saturate or exude onto the plastic charge. To enable introduction and circulation of such medium as may be desired, I prefer to form the plunger with longitudinal bores 43, leading into said chamber, and suitable flexible conveying members may be connected with these bones at the upper extremity of the plunger. One advantage of the chamber 42 is that by introduction of a suitable fluid or lubricating medium. the charge will more easily separate from the press plate or will not adhere thereto when the latter is raised, thus insuring retention of the clay on the mold and preventing any tendency toward the chamber 42 a fluid or mixture which will enhance the finish of the article of pottery or even a coloring fluid, the many advantages appertaining to this chamber being obvious to those skilled in the art.

Slidably mounted and rotatable on the lower extremity of the plunger 81 over the press head 89 and plate I is a charge-confining member in the form of an annular ring or sleeve 44 of suitable shape, preferably of the form shown in section in Fig. l, a spring 45 being loosely mounted on the plunger 81 above said sleeve and adJustably retained in position by means of a collar 48 and set screw 1. To retract or raise the press head and its assembly, a spring 48 may be loosely mounted on the upper portion of the plunger 31 and adjustably retained in position by a collar I! and set screw BI. The plunger 31 is slidably mounted in and supported by a sleeve 5i, bolted or otherwise adjustably secured to the frame 6, as-by means of screws 52a passing through enlarged or slotted openings 52b in a flange 52 and threaded into the frame 6. Shims 520 may be provided so that the press or preforming assembly is adjustable in all directions.

It will be seen from the foregoing description of the preforming assembly that in operation the annular press sleeve or ring II will first encounter the rim or outer edge of the mold and prevent the clay or plastic charge from being pressed out over the side of the mold. the spring 45 being adjustable on the plunger to regulate the pressure necessary for the press ring II to properly perform its function. The press head" and plate Ii continue to descend, spreading the clay radially from its central position toward the brim of the mold, and preform the charge, securely bonding the clay to them oid by pressure, or may piaceit in'flnal form, and. then elevates followed by the press ring, and the charge is then ready for the profile and trimmer or Jigg'ering operation. orit may then be cp'nsidered inffinal form. Fig. l discloses a means for charging molds with plastic clay, the clay being applied to the central zone of the mold, as shown, in an amount suillcierlt to fonn'a piece of ware. It is obvious that the structure 'ofthis preforming assembly could be varied without departing from the scope of the invention, the construction illustrated being simply a preferred means for accomplishing the desired operation.

The means for severing or segregating each charge of plastic material as it is extruded onto the mold may be in the form of a wire or blade 53. mounted in a bracket 54, as in the present instance, or may be a number of wires or in the form of a grid. I prefer to adjustably mount the bracket II, as at 65, on one extremity of a .bell crank lever 56, adiustably fulcrumed as at 51 on one side of the chute H, a cam roller it being rotatably mounted on the opposite extremity thereof for a purpose whlch will be hereinafter explained.

Various means could be adopted to operate the several instrumentalities heretofore described, or

the extruding, severing or segregating and preforming means, in timed relation, but I prefer to employ cam devices arranged on a common drive shaft 5!, Fig. 2. rotatably mounted in hearings on opposite sides of the frame of the mechanism as at iii, and which will be of such extent as to accommodate the number of units in operation. Adiustably pivoted to one extremity of the ratchet bar 28, as at BI, is a lever or bar 62, extending down and in turn adiustabiy pivoted as at ii to a part of the frame 6. Rotatably mounted on the bar 62 at an intermediate point is a cam roller 64 moving in a cam track ii formed in a cam wheel 66. adjustably mounted on the shaft It as by a hub 51 and screw 68. The shape and throw of this cam 66 is such that at each rotation thereof a proper feeding stroke will be imparted to the ratchet bar 28, to in turn impart a feeding rotation or movement to the feed blades H on the shaft I3 and extrudc a charge of plastic material. the size of which may be varied by varying the length of the stroke of the ratchet bar 28 through the adjustable pivot connections 88.

The cam roller 58 rides on and is maintained in continual engagement with a cam 69, also adiustabiy mounted on the shaft 59 as by a hub II and screw II, by a coil spring 58a, adiustably secured at one extremity by a threaded hook bolt as at 58b and attached at its opposite extremity to the bell crank lever 55. This cam 68 is of proper contour and has a high part or raise "a which imparts the severing movement to the member 53 mounted in the bracket or yoke ll at the lower extremity of the bell crank lever 53 in timed relation to the extruding means controlled by the adjustable cam 88.

To operate the preforming assembly, I prefer to bifurcate the upper extremity of the plunger I1 and mount therein a cam roller I! on a bearing pin it, extending through the upper bifurcated extremity of said plunger. This cam roller 12, through the action of the spring ll, continually engages a cam 14. also adjustably mounted on the shaft 59 as by a hub 15 and screw 16. The cam 14 is formed of suitable shape and size and has a high part 14a. when the high part "a engages the roller 12, the press head 39. Dress ring 44 and press plate I will be in their lowermost position on the mold containing the charge of plastic material, to preform the latter. The rls ing movement of this assembly may be more gradual, thepress head I! and plate ti flrstleaving the charge and then the press ring 4!." To prevent rotation of the plunger, I prefer to form a longitudinal groove tic, therein and insert a scre'w Sib through the sleeve 5! into said groove.

It may be desirable'in some instances to form the lower surface of the press plate I with grooves or irregularities, particularly in the event the mold is being rotated when the charge is being preformed.

'To perform the final or Jiggering operation, I prefer to use a profile and trimmer assemblyof the form illustrated in my Patent No. 1,757,132, but this structure may be varied as required and found necessary to adapt it to the article of pottery being manufactured. This profile and trimmer assembly may be readily understood by referring to my above application, and a general description thereof should sutflce. The assembly generally comprises a profile ll, adJustably mounted on a support II, the support and profile being slidable vertically in guides attached to a bracket, which may be adiustably secured to a part of the frame. The support is limited in its downward movement by a stop plate and moves upwardly against the tension of a spring. A trimmer 8B is adjustably mounted on a suitable holder, not shown, to co-operate with the profile ii. The profile support has an adjustable screw bolt 82 inserted in the lower portion thereof, which is adapted to intermittently contact with a pitman 93. to raise and lower the profile in timed relation to mechanism for shifting the molds, to be described.

As hereinbeiore stated, any suitable conveyor could be utilized for carrying the molds, or they could be disposed in position under and removed from the improved feeder mechanism manually. However, in the present instance I prefer to use an endless conveyor as shown in my co-pending application hereinbefore noted and. generally speaking, comprising a track 95 over which the trays 95 move. These trays are usually connected by links in series and have openings therein for placement of the molds. Each tray swings free on a projecting trunnion 31, which may slide or have bearing on the track, and thus the trays are always maintained in a horizontal position regardless of the direction in which the chain has movement.

For the jiggering operation it is desirable to rotate the molds and also raise and lower the same, but during the extruding and severing and preforming operations, it may or may not be desired to rotate and raise and lower the same. but during the extruding and severing and preforming operations, it may or may not be desired to rotate and not raise and lower the molds, and vice versa.

In the present instance I provide a frame. generaliy indicated at 98, which is siidably or adiustably mounted on supporting rails or members 99, as at 99a, the frame ill having pivot bearings Hill, which rotatabiy receive spindles lfll, the latter terminating in chucks ")2, adapted to support or carry the mold while the latter is in position under the container 5, preiorming assembly and Mega assembly. In the present instance an independent motive means, as at III. is provided for rotating the spindles III and chucks I02, but these spindles could be rotated uniformly or separately by cams or otherwise if desired. Ea'ch spindle has a reduced portion or neck I, which fits into a cross fork III. A separate cross fork may be provided for each spindle and adiustably connected by nutted bolts I" and shims Illic, so that the spindles and chucks may be disposed at varying elevations. The spindles are shown connected by the cross forks in the present instance, but it may be preferred to disconnect the cross forks and control the raising and lowering of each chuck and spindle by separate cams and levers as shown for example in Fig. 3. However, in this instance I show the cross forks adiustably connected and controlled as toverticalmovement by the pitman rod II. which extends through one of the cross forks and is provided with supporting and adjusting nuts above and below the same. as at I". The pltman ll extendsdownwardly thm s a sleeve ill and is pivotedas at ll! to one ex tremity of a lever or bar Ill, preferably disposed substantially horizontally and havin a cam roller iii rotatably mounted at its opposite extremity, said lever Ill being adjustably fulcrumed as at Illa. The foregoing structure'm y be readily understood by referring to my Patent No. 1,757,132.

A main drive shaft 2, extending to a suitable source of power, not shown, is provided in the present instance, and may have bearing at opposite sides of the frame of the mechanism. This shaft will obviously be of such length as to accommodate the number oi units in service, and in the present instance carries the cams for moving the trays and for raising and lowering the spindles and chucks bearing the molds. For moving the trays it is preferred to use a cam H3 at each side oi the track, adiustabiy mounted on the shaft II! as by huh I and screw Ill. Each cam is preferably formed with a track H8. A lever or bar II! is adjustably pivoted at its lower extremity as at III to an adjustable bracket Illa secured by screws iitb to the rail 9! and has a cam roller III rotatably mounted thereon and moving in the track III. The upper extremity of the lever I ll has mounted therein a bearing pin or small trunnion I20, and mounted on this trunnion is an adjustable pawl III, which rides over the tray trunnlons 81 on the backward movement of the lever III and drops by gravity a suihcient distance to abut against the projecting trunnion, and when the lever is moved forwardly due to the cam roller moving in the cam track iii, the conveyor will be moved the distance required in accordance with proper adjustments.

A cam I12 is provided in the present instance to operate the pltman 83, this cam being adjustably mounted on the shaft III as by a hub III and screw I24. This cam may be of any suitable shape and the roller III on the lever IID, which is adjustably fulcrumed as at Ilia, contlnualiy engages said cam, to thereby actuate the pitman 93 when the cam is rotated. As hereinbefore noted. separate levers and cams may be provided for each spindle if desired and properiy synchronized.

Power may be transmitted from the shaft H! to the shalt by means of pulleys or sheaves Ill and flexible members or belts III, and likewise, a flexible member or belt Illa may be provided for the motor III and adlustably connected by means of a cone pulley Illib. The motor I21 may be provided with any appropriate rheostat or speed regulating means as at Illa. The shaft II! may rotatably extend through and have bearing in a supporting bracket 81, which may be formed integral with or be attached to the frame II. A bracket is shown at both ends of the'chuck and spindle mechanism or frame so that the shaft and cam mechanism may be mounted at either end as found convenient or desirable.

During the extruding operation as well as the preformlng operation the molds may or may not be rotated. One advantage of rotating the mold during the extruding of the plastic charge thereon is that the charge is more segregated or severed, as the neck will be twisted while the knife is passing therethrough. This whirling or rotating of the mold will also assist in more even- 1y distributing the charge on or in the mold and to some extent preform the charge. Also it may or may not be desirable to raise and lower the mold during the extruding operation, or the mold may be raised and at the same time rotated and theplastic material in the container I and orifice opening II retracted and the mold lowered, in which event the charge may be Wtedwith very little or no assistance on the part of the shear or knife 51.

Insomeinstancesitmaybedesirableto rotate the mold during the preforming operation. but ordinarily during this phase of the cycle of operations the chuck may be sdiusted so as to raise suiliclently to aiiord a firm support for the mold while the press head. plate and press ring descend, and the motor Ill may be disconnected from the spindle or need not be operated. In case the mold is rotated. it may be desirable to rotate the press ring also, to prevent wearin away of the outer edge of the mold and the press ring is adapted to be mounted so as to rotate with the mold if desired.

During the jiggering operation it will ordinarily be desirable to rotate the mold, and also raise and lower the same, the headed contact bolt 32 being adjustable so that the pitman 93 will contact therewith at the time the mold reaches a vertical point where the profile and trimmer most advantageously perform their functions, and both the profile and trimmer are also adjustable relatively to the mold.

As hereinbefore specified, it may be desirable to control the raising and lowering of the molds independently, and Fig. 3 illustrates one manner of accomplishing this result. In this instance a belt or other flexible member 35 may connect the shafts 30 on which the cams I22a are adjustably mounted as in Fig. 2. By this means the chucks and spindles may be raised and lowered independently or as a unit bysimply connecting and disconnecting the flexible member 35 relatively to the cam shafts desired to be operated or remain idle.

From the foregoing the operation should be apparent, and a general outline should be sufflcient. Power may be applied primarily to drive shaft H2 and thence to the upper shaft 59 through the flexible transmission member I 23. The cam roller 64 moving in the cam track will first impart a feeding stroke to the ratchet bar 23 to thereby impart a feeding rotation to the feed blades I4 and extrude a charge of plastic material into or on the mold A. The retraction disk 23 with its band 30 and spring 33 may or may not be adjusted to operate, as desired, the degree of retraction of the plastic material being readily governed by adjusting the thumb nut 35. The severing mechanism may be adjusted to operate at the time it will most advantageously preform its function. When the charge is extruded onto or in the mold A, it will bulge or spread and be caused to adhere to the mold and to some extent be preformed. The mold may be raised and rotated or the chuck adjusted to raise just sufllciently to afford a firm support for the mold and the latter not rotated, as fully explained heretofore. The cam H3 on the shaft II2 may be so adjusted that the conveyor will be moved a step forward and dispose the mold with the segregated charge thereon under the press head and assembly at the proper time, and the annular press ring 44 will descend and first contact with the rim of the mold and prevent the charge from being pressed beyond the edge of the mold. and the press head 33 and plate M will then descend and preform or press the charge in or on the mold. Some of the ad vantages of the chamber 42 have been heretofore explained, and this chamber will of course descend and function at this time with the press head 30 and plate 4i. As has also been heretofore explained, the chuck and spindle may be raised and lowered or rotated as desired, during this preforming operation. The press assembly then rises and the mold with its charge may then be considered as finished or ready for the profile and trimmer or jiggering operation, and another step-by-step movement may be imparted to the conveyor. The mold with its charge is then pref erably raised the proper height, according to adjustment, and rotated and subjected to the jiggering operation.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show a modification in structure which I prefer to employ in the use of molds such, for instance, as are used in the manufacture of bowls, cups, etc. The orifice member Ilia in this instance is preferably adjustably threaded into a bushing I30, also adjustably threaded into the lower open end of the container. A sleeve I3I may be rotatably mounted over the orifice member prior to its insertion in the bushing I30 and rotatably supported by a flange I32, formed on the lower extremity of the said member, which fits in an annular shoulder formed in the lower extremity of the sleeve. Across the lower projecting end of the sleeve I prefer to secure the cutting members I33. It may be desirable to employ only one of these cutting members or any number may be used. The upper extremity of the sleeve I3! may be formed as a gear I34 having inclined teeth I35, which mesh with reversely inclined teeth I33, formed on a ratchet bar I3'I adjustably pivoted as at I3la. to the bell crank lever 56, and maintained horizontal and slidable in a support I33, which may be adjustably secured to the container as at I38. These cutting members may be rotated intermittently in one direction or it may be desirable to impart a reciprocating movement at the sleeve I3I and cutting members I33.

To illustrate a structure which may accommodate either an intermittent cutting movement in one direction or reciprocatory movement of the cutting members, I provide an adjusting screw I40, threaded through a support I4I, which may be attached to or form a part of the frame of the machine, this screw I40 being adjustable to bear against a spring I42, suitably secured to the support I, as at I43. and the spring in turn bearing against the ratchet I31. By screwing the adjusting screw I40 inwardly against the ratchet I31, the reversely inclined teeth I35 and I33 may be prevented from unmeshing and thus impart a reciprocatory movement to the sieeve I3I. If it is desired to rotate the sleeve intermittently in one direction, the adjusting screw I40 may be retracted suiiiciently to clear the spring I42, and the latter will then exert a yielding pressure against the ratchet I31, which will retain the inclined teeth I35 and I33 in mesh during the forward stroke in the present instance and allow said teeth tounmesh during the reverse movement of said ratchet.

To accommodate the press or preforming means to this type of mold, a press ring as at 44c, Fig. 6, may be used and a press head as at 390. having a chamber 42a, which will serve for the introduction and circulation of fluid or other mediums as described in connection with the chamber 42, The side and bottom walls of the press head may be made porous or otherwise as specified in connection with the press plate 4|. The jiggering assembly may be of any suitable type adapted for molds of this form, but I prefer to use a profile and trimmer assembly as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 155,233, filed December 16, 1926.

It may be desired in some instances to introduce and circulate various fluids or other mediums in the orifice member I0 or We, and in Fig. 7 the orifice member IN) is shown as provided with a chamber I0c into which the desired medium may be introduced through the ports I0d. By this means the orifice member may be heated or cooled, or the walls thereof may be made porous or be perforated and a lubricating fluid or other fluid introduced into the chamber I00 and exude through said walls onto the plastic material as It is extruded from the container.

A brief summary of the preferred operation of the machine may be stated as follows: A measured charge is forced through the orifice member in the form of a column, which is intercepted by the mold, or the column is extruded forcefully against the mold and spreads or expands thereon or therein, the mold preferably being rotating at this time to auxiliate this spreading action, and the clay thus initially conforms to the contour of the mold and is caused to adhere to the mold, the column then being severed above the plane of expansion to segregate the charge, and at the same time the mold may be lowered and the stub of the column retracted from the cutter and from the severed charge, to facilitate shifting of the mold and prevent readheslon of the severed surfaces and to clean the cutter on its return stroke. under the press head and the press then operates to press the charge. engaging the exposed surface thereof and spreading the clay, to the desired shape and conforming its lower or moldcontacting surface to the mold contour whilst adhesively bonding it thereto, the charge confining member or ring limiting the radial expension of the charge. The mold with the formed charge thereon may then be advanced and rotated in operative adjacency to the profile and trimmer to put the finishing touches to the ware and enhance its finish.

When there are a number of the improved feeders in use and it is desired to feed or extrude varying sizes of charges from each feeder, the gears l9 and 20 or either of them may be removed and gears of the proper ratio substituted therefor, or, the inclination of the blades ll may be altered on the shaft I! or difl'erent blades substituted therefor, or, the size or shape of the orifice at the bottom of the container may be varied or said orifice may be adjusted in a vertical direction. Any suitable adjustments may be made to adapt the improved feeders to varying sizes of charges and each feeder could, if dc sired, have an independent cam and ratchet bar and gears used in connection therewith.

What I claim is:

1. In mechanism of the class specified, means for automatically extruding plastic material forcefully against the forming surface of a mold, and means for rotating the mold.

2. In mechanism of the class specified, means for extruding a charge of plastic material directly onto a mold, segregating means, a press member adapted to co-operate with the mold to form the charge and means for raising, lowering and rotating the mold.

3. In mechanism of the class specified, means for extruding plastic material directly onto a mold, means for retracting the material, means for segregating the material in charges, and means for moving the mold in a vertical plane in timed relation to the retracting means.

4. In mechanism of the class specified, means for automatically pr plastic material onto a mold, means for segregating the material in charges, means for retracting the material to assist in the ting operation, and means for pressing the charge against the mold to conform the charge to the contour of the mold.

5. In mechanism of the class specified, means for extruding charges of plastic material onto a mold. means for segregating the charge, and means for retracting the material and reciprocating the mold.

6. In mechanism of the class specified, means for extruding charges of plastic material force- The mold is then shifted fully against the forming surface of a mold, means for segregating the charges, and means for rotating the mold to preliminarily preform the charges.

7. In mechanism of the class specified, means for automatically extruding plastic material forcefully against the forming surface of a mold. means for segregating the material in charges, and means for preforming and conforming the charges to the shape of the mold and Jiggering the chargeswhile on the mold.

8. In mechanism of the class specified, means for automatically extruding plastic material directly against the forming surface of a mold, means including a press member adapted to cooperate with the mold, and independent means for vertically moving the mold.

9. In mechanism of the class specified, means for automatically extruding a charge of plastic material directly against the forming surface of a mold and preliminarily preforming the charge, means for preforming and final forming the charge, means for simultaneously moving the mold and/or the preforming means relatively to one another, and means co-operating with the mold to limit the spreading action of the material relatively to the mold.

10. In mechanism of the class specified, means for automatically extruding a charge of pisstic material onto a mold, means for simultaneously vertically moving and rotating the mold to preliminarily preform the charge, and means for final forming the charge including a press memher and charge-confining member adapted to cooperate with the mold to conform the charge to the contour of the mold and confine the material to the forming surface areaof the mold.

11. In mechanism of the classspecified, means for automatically extruding a charge of plastic material against the forming surface of a mold, preforming means, and means co-operating with the preforming means to convey a fluid medium to the surface of the charge.

12. In mechanism of the class specified, means for automatically depositing a charge of plastic material onto a mold, means for molding the charge having a chambered body, and means for conveying a fluid or gaseous medium to the chamber and exuding said medium onto the surface of the preformed charge through said body.

13. In a machine for the manufacture of articles of pottery, the combination with a mold conveyor, of a container for plastic material, means for extruding a predetermined charge of plastic material forcefully against the forming surface of a mold and preliminarily preforming the charge, segregating means, means for pressing the charge against the mold to preshape the charge, jiggerlng means, and means for imparting a step-by-step movement to the conveyor.

14. In a machine for the manufacture of pottery, the combination with a mold carrier, of a container for plastic material, means for extruding the plastic material forcefully against the forming surface of a mold, means for segregating the material in charges and preliminarily preforming the charges, means for conforming the charges to the shape of the mold. ii s'ering 7 means, means for vertically moving and rotating the molds, and means for imparting a step-bystep movement to the mold carrier.

15. In a machine for the manufacture of pottery, the combination with a mold conveyor, of a; support for plastic material. means associated with said support for advancing the material a predetermined distance. severing means for segregating material into charges. press means for conforming the charge to the shape of the mold and bonding the charge thereto. means for releasing the press member from the clay. means for iiggering the charge, means for vertically moving and rotating the molds, and means for imparting a step-by-step movement to the conveyor.

16. The combination according to claim 15 wherein the means for vertically moving and rotating the molds may be operated and adjusted independently.

17. The combination according to claim 15. wherein the means for imparting a step-by-step movement to the conveyor is adjustable to operate in timed relation with the segregating, preforming and jlggerlng means.

18. The combination according to claim 15. wherein the means for vertically moving and rotating the molds and the means for imparting a step-by-step movement to the conveyor may be adjusted as a unit laterally relatively to the support and preformlng means.

19. The method of feeding plastic material to molds in the manufacture of pottery, which con sists in progressing the material in a container through a restricted outlet opening forcefully against the forming surface of a mold, and distributing the material over the said surface through centrifugal action.

20. The method of feeding plastic material to molds in the manufacture of pottery. which consists in progressing the material through a restricted outlet against the forming surface of a mold, the material assuming the shape of a column when passing through said outlet. segregating the material in charges, and retracting the column to assist in the segregating operation.

21. The method of feeding plastic material to molds in the manufacture of pottery, which consists in extruding the material forcefully against the forming surface of a mold in the form of a column, intercepting the issuing column by the mold and rotating the latter to distribute the material thereover and segregate the material from the column. pressing the charge against the mold toconform the charge to the contour of the mold and completely confining the charge to prevent radial expansion thereof beyond a predetermined area of the mold surface, and rotating the mold with the conformed charge thereon in operative adjacency to profiling tools to enhance the finish of the charge.

22. The method of fabricating dinnerware which comprises applying a body of clay to a mold, engaging the clay with a die having a surface co-extensive with that of the molding surface. spreading the clay over the molding surface and adhesively bonding it thereto. releasing the dle with a fluid means to insure retention of the clay on the mold and thereafter finishing the exposed surface of the clay.

23. Apparatus for the manufacture of dinnerware comprising. in combination, means for applying clay charges of definite predetermined volume to molds. a pressing die having a face eircumferentially co-extenslve with the forming surface of a mold. said die or said mold being movable relative to one another to spread the charge of clay over the forming surface of the mold and simultaneously bond the clay thereto, fluid means for separating the clay from the face of the pressing die and means for jiggering the clay.

24. The method of feeding plastic material to molds in the manufacture of dinnerware which comprises. moving a mass of the material downwardly into adjacency to a forming surface. segregating material from the mass which is deposited on the forming surface and supporting the end of the massrelative to the segregated material. 7

25. In the feeding of plastic material to molds in the manufacture of dinnerware. the method which consists in advancing a column of clay into engagement with the forming surface of the mold, severinga portion of the clay to form a charge retained by the mold and retracting the clay stub and/or mold or both to separate the material.

26. A machine for making dinnerware on absorbent molds from plastic clay having a mold supporting means, a press member. means for repelling the press member from the clay to prevent impairment of the bond between the clay and mold upon withdrawal of the press member. and a iiggering means.

27. Apparatus for the manufacture of jlggered potteryware in or on jiggering molds which com- '3 prises, in combination, a clay feeding mechanism, press means, jiggering means, mechanism for moving molds from said feeding mechanism to said press means and said jiggering means. said press means comprising a die having a pressing surface complemental to the were forming surface of the mold. means for co-operating said die with said molds and means for repelling the die from the clay.

28. Apparatus for manufacturing iiggered potieryware in or on iiggering molds which comprises. in combination. clay feeding mechanism arranged to segregate and charge molds with clay bodies from which the ware is to be manufactured, press means arranged to co-operate with the molds to spread the clay charges on the surface of the ware forming portion of the molds, fluid means for repelling the pressmeans from the clay, jiggering means. means located adjacent said feeding mechanism. said press means and said jiggering means for supporting said molds and-means for progressing molds from one support to another.

29. Apparatus for manufacturing jiggered pot teryware in or on jiggering molds which comprises, in combination. clay feeding mechanism, means for spreading clay on and bonding it to said molds. and a iiggering means, said means for spreading clay on and bondingciay to molds comprising a press member having a surface compiementai to the said molds adapted to form when in co-operation therewith, a molding chamber in which the clay is spread over the ware forming surface of the mold and extended to full ware diameter and means for repelling the clay from the press member.

30. The method of fabricating jiggered potteryware which comprises. forming a clay charge. applying the charge to a mold. pressing the charge between the mold and a stationary matrix to flow the clay over the ware forming surface of the mold and extend the clay to full ware diameter. repelling the clay from the matrlx. ilggering the clay and thereafter drying the same.

31. The method of fabricating ilggered poteryware which comprises, charging a portion of the molding surface of a mold with a body of clay and then pressing the clay between the mold and a matrix to flow the clay in all directions simultaneously over the exposed portion of the were forming surface of the mold, repelling the clay from the matrix. profiling the clay and thereafter drying the clay.

32. The method of fabricating Jiggered potteryware which comprises, segregating a. clay charge having a predetermined volume of clay therein and depositing sa id charge centrally of the were forming surface of a. mold leaving the w brim zone of the ware forming surface of the mold exposed and then squeezing the charge of clay between the mold and a matrix to expand the charge and cause it to flow over the exposed portion of the mold and be extendei'l to tail ware diameter. repelling the clay from the matrix and thereafter profiling the clay to remove excess material and reduce the article 01 wore to the proper cross section thickness and then drylng the ware.

WILLIAM J. MILLER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION;

Reissue No. 20,401. June 8. 1937 WILLIAM J MILLER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1 first column, line 29, for the word "recent" read present; line 31, for "elastic" read plastic; page 7, second column, line 16, after claim 25. insert the following as claim 26:

26. The combination according to claim 15 wherein the means for conforming the charge to the shape of the mold includes a member adapted to limit the radial expansion of the charge.;

and for the claims now appearing in the patent as numbers 26. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 read 27, 28, 29. 30, 31, 32, and 33 respectively; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day oi August, A. D. 1937.

. Leslie'Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

